A central Ohio institution synonymous with Tex-Mex cuisine has relocated and rebranded.

Talita’s Southwest Café, one of those rare places that serves both burritos and Coney dogs, has opened in the Grandview Heights area.

“You’ve got to change with the times,” said Frank Prince, whose family’s business has a nearly half-century history in central Ohio, tracing its local roots to the Clintonville area.

Change certainly is part of the new Talita’s, as the menu has been considerably scaled back.

The restaurant takes over the former Passport Café and Catering site at 1335 Dublin Road in the RiversEdge Corporate Center.

The Coney dogs are a notable example of shift in style. The restaurant ladles homemade Coney sauce on top of a 2-ounce, all-beef dog that is further garnished with mustard, cheese and onions.

Keeping up with the millennials, Talita’s has introduced chicken-tender baskets prepared on-premises. Meals start with chicken tenderloins, either grilled or deep-fried, served with fries and a choice of dipping sauces.

Prince credits his daughters, Daniela and Cristina, both of whom are involved in the business, for re-orienting his focus.

“What’s the old saying, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?” he said. “Well, they’re keeping me up on things.”

Even the house salad has an updated option: Customers can still get the traditional version made with iceberg lettuce or the new version with mixed greens.

Patrons can build their own salads, choosing from ground beef, shredded chicken, black beans and other ingredients.

One thing that remains is Talita’s steadfast commitment to its Brownsville, Texas, -style burritos, using recipes created by the family matriarch, Talita Arroyo.

There are eight burrito choices, all smothered in cheese, onions and a red chile sauce. Prince has added another topping choice — a spicy queso dip.

Talita’s Mexican Kitchen has had a presence in Columbus since 1968, spending most of its time in the Clintonville area. That location shut down in 2007, and Prince opened another one in Grove City.

Prince returned to the Clintonville area with a quick-serve operation called Talita’s on High but it didn’t last. He closed the Grove City location when he opened Talita’s Southwest Café.

He said he had wanted to stay in Grove City but downsize. But that plan changed when his cousin, Guy Williams, who has an insurance company in RiversEdge, told Prince’s brother, Tony, about the Dublin Road space.

Talita's Southwest Cafe seats 28 inside, with patio seating in front and back. There’s also a private event space in the basement.

At 65 years old, Prince said he wants to leave a legacy behind for his daughters. But he has no plans to retire.

“What would I do?” he said. “I don’t golf. This is what I love.”

The restaurant is open from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and is closed Sunday. For more information, call 614-871-8733.